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BARNESVILLE – Meagan Pearson, Gordon State College interim director of advancement, has been named the 2023 Outstanding Newcomer in Advancement by the Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC). Pearson was among several advancement professionals honored at the GEAC Annual Conference held on Nov. 13-15.

The GEAC Awards recognize higher education professionals who have distinguished themselves in the areas of development, marketing, career services, and alumni relations. Candi Babcock, GSC advancement coordinator nominated Pearson who joined the GSC Advancement Office in 2022. Babcock said that she had the privilege of onboarding and training many new employees in her 33-year career, which encompassed roles within both the University System and the Technical College System. However, she has never come across a colleague who "hit the ground running so fast that she had to run to keep up."

“Meagan has been such a dynamic addition to the Gordon State family. I felt compelled to recognize her outstanding performance,” Babcock said.

Pearson originally joined Gordon State College as a development officer, joining a team of seven comprising five departments: Advancement/Foundation Relations, Development, Alumni Relations/Annual Fund, Marketing/Public Relations, and Career Services. Within her first 18 months, she was tapped to coordinate GSC’s first-ever capital campaign, which was launching in one month. Babcock noted that Pearson was new to fundraising, yet thanks to her steadfast determination, the team reached their campaign goal of $1.5 million in only 13 months.

“Being nominated for the Outstanding Newcomer Award, and then being chosen as the recipient, was a huge surprise,” Pearson said. “I am truly humbled by this honor, and I know I could not have accomplished even half of what I have done without the support of our team behind me.”

Pearson took on many first and major roles during her first year with GSC. She planned and executed GSC’s inaugural Scholarship Luncheon, assisted with career services and alumni affairs until key staffing positions were filled; and led the Foundation’s Events and Recognition Committee in rebranding the annual scholarship fundraiser.

Furthermore, Pearson planned and executed the Foundation’s 2022 Holiday Reception and renamed Heart for Gordon Gala. She also contributed to the overall success of the 2023 Day of Giving campaign, which raised over $54K, and acquired multiple grants to provide funding for the fine and performing arts department, the campus food pantry, and athletics.

In August of this year, Pearson was appointed interim director of advancement and foundation director, leading the team through a restructuring that consolidated five departments into three.

Babcock described Pearson as a talented multitasker and an expert event planner, but credits her "sweetest accomplishment (pun intended)" in that she manages to find the time to celebrate her colleagues' milestones and birthdays by treating them with homemade gourmet cupcakes.

“In my humble opinion, Meagan Pearson is the very definition of an outstanding newcomer,” Babcock said.

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Founded in 1852, GSC is a member of the University System of Georgia. The college has a distinctive legacy of excellent scholarship and service. GSC offers 16 four-year degrees and 11 associate-level degrees, which includes multiple baccalaureate pathways for students. With an enrollment of over 3,100 students, GSC offers an intimate academic setting with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. In this setting, students receive individualized attention that only a small college with dedicated faculty and staff can provide.